Gov’t Slashes Axle Fee for Truckers from $30 to $10

The Government of Belize has approved a reduction in the road service charge, also known as the Axle Fee, charged on cargo trucks. The axle fee, which was set at thirty dollars per axle for cargo trucks, has been reduced to ten dollars per axle. The fee is charged on trucks coming into Belize as a means of income generation for the Corozal and Benque Viejo Town Councils, earmarked to cover the wear and tear of road infrastructure. According to the latest Cabinet Briefing, the change was granted after the Minister with responsibility for Transport received concerns from stakeholders that the $30.00 flat rate structure would disproportionately impact the livelihoods of Belizean truckers. The Benque Viejo Town Council explained that across the board $30 fee came as a result of Guatemalan truckers circumventing paying the fee by registering their trucks in Belize. This caused a considerable shortfall in revenue for the municipality. However, Belizean truckers raised an issue with paying the same as foreigners, leading to the reduction. Mayor of Benque Viejo, Jorge Rosales, says that the change from $30 to $10 will cause a drastic drop in the amount the council has to work with, but it’s better than nothing.

We understand that the Department of Transport is preparing to meet with truckers again to discuss the issue.